U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
BUEEAU OF SOILS-BULLETIN NO. 29. 

MILTON WHITNeV, Chief. 



59? 



TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS 
IN OHIO. 



GEORGE T. McNESS and GEORGE B. MASSEY. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

' 19 05. 




Gass. 



Book 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 

BUREAU OF SOILS-BULLETIN NO. 29. 



MILTON WHITNEY, Chief. 



TOE AC C( ) liN VESTKIATIONS 
IN OHIO. 



GEORGE T. McNESS and GEORGE B. MASSEY 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1905. 

Or ■■{'-•■• ■ "Ix" 

J 



BI RKAl OF SOILS. 



■Mii/roN Whitney, Chief of Ihirmu. 
Alhekt (I. Rice, Chief Clerk. 

SCIENTIFIC STAFF. 

Lyman J. Briggs, in charge of Laboratory of Soil Physics. 
Frank K. Cameron, in charge of Lalwratory of Soil Chemistry. 
Frank D. Cardner, in charge of Soil Management. 
(tEORGe T. McNess, in charge of Tobact-o Investigations. 
Clarence W. Dorset, in charge of Alkali Land Reclamation. 
George N. Coffey, in charge of Soil Snrvey. 

ASSISTANTS IN TOBACCO INVESTK^ATIONS. 

Walter M. Hinson. Hexry Weinberg. 

Geor(JE B. INIassey. W. J. Wood. 

J. B. Stewart. Otto Olson. 

Lewis W. Ayer. R. S. Epley. 

Harry Rich. W. W. (Jrekn. 

e. h. m.\thewson. 



rjov 27 :coc 



UTH'R or TRAXS.MITTAI. 



U. S. Department of A(;iu(ri/rrRB, 

1)1 i!E.\r OK Soils, 
Wdsli'nn/fnn. I>. (' ., June 15, 190.',. 
Sir: I respoctt'ully ti-iuisiiiit herewith a report hy Messrs. Georii'e 
T. MeXess and Georiie 1). Massey on Toljacco Investigations in Ohio, 
inchiding the growing of Cuban seed tobacco and the introduction of 
the Indk method of fei-iueutation. I recounuend that this report be 
j)ublished as BuUetin No. '1\) of the Bureau of Soils. 

Ilespectfully, Milton A\'iiitnev, 

Chief of Bureau. 
Hon. James Wil.son, 

Secretary of Agriculture. 



CO NTH NTS. 



Page. 

Intrddnction .. 7 

C'limate . 8 

Description of liest t( >hacc'( > soils . 10 

Miami gravelly loam 10 

Miami clay loam _ 13 

Types of leaf 14 

Zimmer Spanish . 14 

Ohio seed leaf 15 

Little Dutch 15 

Cuban seed leaf . . , 15 

Growing of Cuban seed tobacco 17 

Details of the work in 11)04 18 

Preparation (^f the land 18 

The seed bed 18 

Transplanting ... 18 

Cultivation 19 

Topping and suckering 19 

Harvesting . 19 

Barn curing _ . . ... 30 

Fermentation . 33 

Baling 34 

Cost of production , 35 

Sale of tobacco grown in 1903 and IdO'-l experiments _ 36 

Introduction of bulk fermentation in Ohio 38 

Des ription of various methods 28 

Details of fermentation of leaf of different types ;50 

Relative cost of different methods of fermentation 33 

Cooperative work during three seasons . 88 

Letters from the trade 87 



TOBACCO INVESTICATIONS IN OHIO. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The pi'ddnction of tobacco adapted to the diti'erent market demands 
lias heconie a prominent factor in our ai»Ticultin-e. Of particuhir 
importance is the ]:)ro<hiction of superior filler-leaf tobacco. The 
filler leaf of a ci<>ar. abo\e all things, must have a good flavor, good 
aroma, and good burn. It has long been recognized by the tobacco 
trade that the leaf grown on the strong, heavy soils found in the 
Miami Valley of Ohio makes the most desiral)le filler grown in this 
country. Although the leaf does not possess the mild aroma and 
fragrance of the Cuban tobacco, yet it has snch desiral)le qualities 
that the culture of tobacco has become the principal industry of that 
part of Ohio. 

The growing of cigar leaf in Ohio dates back to 1797, when the 
early settlers grew small crops for their own consumption. About 
the year 1838 Mr. S. Pomeroy, of Sutlield, Conn., moved to the valley, 
carrying with him some tobacco seed from his native i)lace. He 
planted a small field in Miami Township, Montgomery County, and 
from this beginning the cultivation of tobacco gradually spread to the 
neighboring farms. The only tobacco, however, reported in the cen- 
sus of 1840 from the present Miami Valley district was 95 pounds, 
grown in Clark County. 

The cultivation of tobacco was confined to Montgomery County 
until 1850, when some farmers in the neighborhood of Alpha, in 
Green County, began to grow it. In 1851 a small quantity was jjro- 
duced in Butler County, in Dicks Creek Valley, and within the next 
three or four years the cultivation extended successively into Warren, 
Preble, and Miami counties. Previously to 1850 a few patches were 
grown in several counties from Virginia seed for domestic use. The 
census for that year reported 2,500 pounds for Butler County, 1,-1:()0 
pounds for Clinton County, 135 pounds for Champaign Comity, 7,132 
pounds for Drake County, 2.500 })ounds for Miami County, 50 
pounds for Preble County, and 2,001 pounds for Warren County. 
Montgomer}^ County for the same year reported 190,971 pounds, or 

7 



O TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 

about 500 cases, which shows that tol)acco had become a staple in that 
district. 

The crops grown in the Miami Valley in 1850 and 1851 amounted 
to about 2,000 cases, and in the succeeding- year the production had 
risen to 4.000 cases, an increase of 100 per cent in a single year. All 
these crops were marketed in New York. That grown in 1850 
))r()iight from to 10 cents a pound, but the crop of 1851 averaged 
only 4^ cents a pound. 

The growing of tol)acco on a commercial scale was first developed 
on the soils of the river bottoms. No effort was made to grow a fine 
quality of leaf, the main object being to i)roduce a large yield, which 
was used mostly for l>inders and wrappers of cheap cigars. 

With the change which came in the character of the leaf demanded 
by the dealers, these river bottom lands were given up to a large ex- 
tent and the rolling uplands used for the growing of cigar fillers. 
Although improvements have been made in the selection of suitable 
soils and in the method of planting, the Ohio tobacco grower is still 
deficient in his knowledge of the curing of his crop. Great loss is 
experienced every year in damage from mold and pole rot. This is 
due to a great extent to the poor construction of the curing sheds and 
the lack of sufficient barn room at harvest time. 

It was the object of the Bureau of Soils in making the experiments 
detailed in this report to prove to the tobacco grower and packer of 
the Miami Valley that an imj^roved type, containing qualities similar 
to the tobacco grown in ('nl)a, could be grown on certain of their 
soils, and also that by improved methods of curing and fermentation 
the annual loss arising from mohl and })ole rot could be largely if 
not wholly overcome. 

CLi:siATE. 

The climate of southwestern Ohio is typical of a large part of the 
central interior region of the United States. There is a maximum 
range in temperature, between the coldest days in winter and the 
hottest in summer, of 115° F., the difference between a minimum of 
—15° F. and a maximum of 100° F. 

The following table is compiled from the long-established records 
of the Weather Bureau station at Cincinnati. This station is not 
over 35 miles fr-om the area surveyed in Montgomery County, and so 
may be taken as representing the general condition in the Miami 
Valley tobacco district. The figures presented in this table are nor- 
mals computed on records extending over many years. The normals 
for each of the months of the growing season and for the entire year 
are shown. 



CLIMATE OF SOUTHWESTERN OHIO. 
Clinnitologiral (lata for soiitlnccfitcrn Ohio. 



Month. 



April _. 

May.. 

June 

July 

August 

Septomber... 

Annual 



Mean 
maximum 
tempera- 
ture. 



F. 

74 

SI 
8(> 
M 
7K 



63.8 



Mean 
minimum 
tempera- 
ture. 



Mean 
monthly 
tempera- 
ture. 



68 



Average 
monthly 
rainfall. 


Mean 

relative 

humidity. 


Inrhrs. 


Pcrcruf. 


:i :i 


61 


4.0 


63 


4.4 


65 


3.9 


65 


3.8 


65 


3.0 


6".» 



" Total for six months. 



The followini»- tahle shows the average monthly and annual tem- 
perature and the monthly and annual rainfall at Cincinnati and Day- 
ton for the three years during which experiments in growing Cuban 
seed leaf tobacco have l)een carried on: 

Montlilji and auinuil tempcraiiire and precipitation.. 



January 

February. 

March 

April 

May 

June. 

July 

August 

September . . 

October 

November . . 
December 

Annual . 



Dayton. 



Tem 
pora 
ture 



" F. 
28.9 
22.2 
43.0 
49.3 
a5.4 
69.8 
75.8 
71.9 
(w.4 
56.4 
49.8 
:«).6 



52.4 



Pre- 
cipita- 
tion. 



In. 
1.13 
.61 
2. 55 
2.13 

3.;« 

7.32 
3.42 
.71 
4. 95 
3.25 
3. ,5(i 
3.95 



35.97 



1903. 




" F. 
28.2 
32. 
47.0 
51.2 
65. 2 
66.0 
75.2 
74.3 
67.4 
55. 
38.2 
25.8 



52.2 



In. 
2.39 
4.79 
3. 69 
3. 66 
4.66 
9. 09 
1.43 
1.17 

. m 

2.72 
2.44 
2.00 



38.69 



1904. 



Tern 
pera- 
ture. 



° F. 
31.3 
35. 4 
41.8 
45. 4 
61. 6 
70. 2 
73.6 
71.6 
6(i. 6 
53. 6 
41.8 
29.3 



50.2 



Pre- 

cipita 
tion. 



In. 
4.61 
2.53 
7.90 
3.18 
4. 05 
2.47 
3.04 
1.87 
2. IK) 
1.23 
.63 
4.16 



37.07 



Cincinnati. 



1902. 



Tem 
pera 
ture 



° F. 
31.5 
25.1 
44.8 
52.8 
67.6 
71.8 
77.4 
74.3 
66.6 
58.6 
52.4 
33.0 



54.7 



Pre- 

■ipita 
tion. 



In. 
2.1(1 

.38 
1.47 
2.87 
5.54 
5. 25 
3.47 

. 65 
4.26 
2.77 
3.29 
5.25 



37.30 



1903. 

Tem Pre 
peru- cipita 
ture. tion. 



° F. 
31.1 

;w. 6 

49.7 
53. 6 
67.4 
67.6 
77.8 
74.9 
69.2 
57.5 
40.4 
27.0 



54.3 



2. 05 
5. 76 
4.97 
3.49 
3.83 
3.27 
2.31 
2.75 
1.78 
1.31 
1.45 
1.72 



34.69 



Tem-' Pre- 
pera-cij)itH- 
ture. tion. 



27.0 
28.9 
44.2 
48.2 
04.2 
72.4 
75. 5 
75.0 
69. 9 
56. 7 
44.4 
32.4 



53.2 



29.54 



From the foregoing tal)le it is seen that July and August are the 
hottest months and January and Fel)ruary are the coldest months in 
the year. The greatest precipitation takes place in May and .Tune. 
31 CO— No. 20— 0.5 M 2 



10 



TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 



The following- table gives the actual rainfall on the tobaeco field 
near Germantown. and the dates on which precipitation occurred, 
during the growing of the experimental crop in 1904: 

Rainfall at Gcrntaiitourn. 



Date. 


Inch. 


Date. 


Inch. 


June 19 


0.36 
.6.5 
.30 
.01 
.37 
.99 
.55 
.32 
.02 
.10 
.82 
.05 


July 21 


0.32 
.10 
.01 
..37 
. 05 
.17 
.34 
.13 
.03 
.41 
. .55 
.35 


21 

27 

28 . . 


23... 

27 

Aug. 1 

18... 

19 

20 

25 

Sept. 1..: 

3 

14 

18.... 


m 

July 5 

6 

7 


9 


11 

12 

17 





In 1904 the last killing frosts in spring occurred at Dayton, on 
May K), and at Cincinnati, on April 25, while the first in the fall 
occurred on October 7 and '28, respectively, for the two stations. 
There was thus a growing season for tender plants ranging from 144 
to 186 days. 

DESCRIPTION OF BEST TOB.VCCO SOILS. 



MIAMI GRAVKLLY LOAM. 



The two soils found most suitable for the cultivation of tobacco are 
the Miami gravelly loam and the Miami clay loam. 

The Miami gravelly loam occupies large areas in the river valleys. 
This is generally known as the second bottom, and is considered the 
finest farming land in the valley. The principal areas are situated 
betAveen the Great Miami and the INIad rivers, and a few miles south 
of Dayton, east of the (Jrcat ^Nliami River, in Van Buren Township. 
There is also another large area in West Dayton, but it is mainly occii- 
jDied by the city. In addition to these there are several other areas of a 
few square miles in extent. This formation may occur as a high first 
bottom, but generally as the second terrace above the river beds. 
These river bottoms, or, more properly speaking, terraces, are from 
SO to f)() feet id)()ve the river level. When a number of successive ter- 
races are found they rise from 5 to 15 feet, one above another. Rarely 
five distinct terraces may be counted, but the most common occurrence 
of this formation is, as stated, either as a high first terrace or a rolling 
terrace 10 to 15 feet above the areas of the Miami loam formation. 

The soil is derived from the great mass of glacial debris deposited 
over the country by the ice, I)ut this material has subsequently been 



DESCRIPTION OF TOBACCO SOILS. 11 

modified coiisidcrnhly l>y tlie action of the streams wliicli How through 
the valley- These rivers and streams must have been ^reatly swollen 
during- the closing jxM'iod of the Glacial epoch when they received the 
waters from the melting masses of ice covering the country to the 
northward. The terraces certainl}' bear witness to the assorting and 
carrying power of these swollen rivers, for in every instance they are 
found to consist of beds of great thickness comi^osed of well-rounded 
and nicely assorted gravel and sand. Although the terraces are com- 
posed largely of gravel, the soil carries moi-i> or less silt and clay. 
The soil may be described as a heavy, sticky, reddish-brown loam to 
a dejDth of 12 inches. This soil contains some sand, but there is suf- 
ficient clay to give it the properties of a hea\y loam. Under the 
soil is found a stifl' reddish-brown clay loam, (|uite similar to the sub- 
soils of the clay uplands, but always containing a larger percentage of 
shar}) angular quartz somewhat less than one-half inch in diameter. 
The subsoil as we go deeper contains more and more graxel, until at 
30 feet it grades into a mass of well-rounded gravel. r]xj)()sures of 30 
and even 40 feet of well-rounded stratified gravel underlying these 
soils were noticed in some of the old gravel pits al)o\(> and below 
Dayton. These gravel beds insure perfect drainage conditions and 
render the soil warm and dry. On the sui'face there is a varying 
amount of well-rounded gravel from 2 to T) inches in diameter. The 
quantity of gravel contained in the soil to a depth of 10 inches is sel- 
dom less than 15 per cent and rarely more than 40 pov cent. Exces- 
sive quantities of gravel on the surface of the soil are found only in 
very limited areas. Often along the slopes from one terrace to another 
the gravel may be found coming to the surface in considerable quan- 
tities. Generally the gravel is nearer the surface in the large areas 
south of Dayton than it is in other extensive areas of this formation. 
None of the areas is subject to overflow from the rivers even during 
the highest floods. 

The second bottoms were eagerly sought by the early settlers, for 
it was recognized that the soils were light, warm, and dry, and would 
produce tAvice as much as the cold, wet uplands. When discovered 
they are said to have been covered with a thick growth of sugar maple, 
black walnut, many kinds of oak, ash, hickory, mulberry, elm, locust, 
buckeye, basswood, sycamore, cherry, hackberry, gum, and beech — 
trees which denote a rich, productive soil. But little now remains of 
the once extensive forest, and only scattered groves are seen, which 
are mostly a growth of a few varieties of oak. 

The Miami gravelly loam is ahvays in demand, and some of the 
best-im})roved farms of the county are to be found on the slightly 
rolling terraces. It was on this soil that the early cultivation of 
tobacco received such an impetus, and for a long time it was consid- 



12 



TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 



ered the finest tobacco land of the valley, but with the ever-changing 
demands of the trade it is not now so important as formerly, although 
many large fields of tobacco are grown each year on this type of soil. 
The following table shows the texture of the interstitial material 
f ormino; this soil : 



Mcvhunical aintlnvcs of Miami (irorclhi lomii. 









^ 


o 


iC 


o 


^ 


lO 


C' 








o 




o 




o 


o 










'N 


'-' 


'2 a 


S 


-Sq 


d 


o 


No. 


Locality. 


Description. 


la 

So 


CS El 


^a 
a^ 


'-.a 


^a 

too 


o 

sa 


ia 
oa 








§ ■ 


r< 




0) 


h.2 


4-^ 


& 








fe 


O 


E 


r* 


cc 


o 








p. rt. 


P. ct. 


p. ct. 


P. ct. 


P. ct. 


p. ct. 


P.cf. 


51KI8 


Nort h of Dayton 


to 12 inches 


5.51 


11.23 


9.36 


17.66 


15.58 


35.59 


12.95 


5009 


Subsoil of 5008 


12 to 24 inches 


17.64 


14.60 


10.06 


9.90 


6.19 


13.00 


26.53 









MIAMI CLAY LOAJf. 

The Miami clay loam covers fully four times as large an area in 
Montgomery County as all the other formations combined. Fre- 
quently the roads extend a long distance through this type without a 
change in the character of the soil other than the slight changes 
depending upon the varying drainage conditions of the dift'erent 
fields. There are large areas in the northern ])art of the county that 
are the exact counterpart of equally large areas in the extreme south- 
eastern and southwestern portions of the county. 

The surface features of this soil vary greatly in the difl'erent sec- 
tions of the county. In the northern and central parts the topography 
IS that of a broad, level, or gently rolling plain. In the other sections 
the surface is hilly and broken, although ther(> are frequent inter- 
stream areas which are comparatively level for a considei-able dis- 
tance. In the level areas the fields are apt to be poorly drained, 
and formerly this was much more generally the case, but the open- 
ing of the large ditches and the imjjrovement of the fields by under- 
ground drains have put the lands in excellent condition, so that 
they are no longer sj)oken of as cold, wet iq^lands. In the more 
hilly areas the drainage is well established, and artificial drainage 
is unnecessary. Where the upland borders the valleys there is often 
a steep scarp of from 80 to 120 feet, but where the valley gradually 
merges into the uplands a distanc-e of several miles may be traversed 
before the general level of the upland is reached. 

This soil is the weathered product of the heterogeneous mass of 
ground-up rocks left upon the surface in glacial times. This deposit 
of glacial debris varies from 2 feet to more than 100 feet in thick- 



DESCRIPTION OF TOBACCO SOILS. 1 '1 

ness, depen<liiii>- n})<)ii the jiie(iii;ilitk's ol" the surface before the mate- 
rial was deposited. 

The soil of the Miami clay loam is a lif^-ht loam c()ntaiiiiii<>; a rela- 
tively hiii'li ])roportioii of silt. It is a remarkahly uniform soil, 
whether fouud on the steep hillsitle or on the more level uplands. 
It has a lii>ht ycdlowish-brown color when newly plowed oi- wIumi 
moistened by recent rains. When not stirred foi* several weeks in 
a hot. dry season, it becomes almost white, and it is often s])oken of 
by the fai-mers as " white clay.*" This character of material is found 
to an averai>"e depth of 10 or li' inches. It is easy to till and is liaht 
and loose and I'cadily dries aftei' rains. 

The subsoil, beivinninii' at a depth of l'_! inches, is a heavy, sticky 
i'e<|-br()wn clay loam, which when thorouii'hly dried check's into small 
cubes, closely I'esembliuii' the stitf subsoil of the Miami ^i-ax'elly loam, 
altliou<»;h it contains a much smaller percentage of small ani>"nlaT' 
<|uai1z <>-ra\el, and in many localities none whatever. A\'hen the sub- 
soil is free fi-om oTuvel it closely resembles the alluvial dej)osits of 
the Ked IJi\'er in I.,ouisiana and Arkansas. Th(> depth of the subsoil 
is from '2 to .'» feel. In the noi'thern. and in some |)laccs in the cen- 
tral-western parts of the county, the subsoil i-ests directly uj)()n the 
•^•laciated and scratched surface of the Niay-ai-a limestone. In manv 
othei- places the material, at a depth of ;> or 4 feet, passes ofradually 
into a stitf mass of clay filled with ano-ular bowldei's and [)ebl)les and 
containinfj occasional pockets of quartz sand and well-rounded, strat- 
ified gravel. The i)ebbles and bowlders embedded in the mass of 
clay generally have sharp corners and are often scratched, especially 
on one side. 

There is nsually a small quantity of stones on the surface of the 
Miami clay loam, but never enough to interfere with cultivation, for 
where originally i)lentiful the bowlders have been removed. The 
])ercentage of small stones on the sui-face varies from 5 to 20 per cent. 
These stones are fragments of limestone and angular pieces of the 
metamor])hic series of rocks, siu-h as granite, gneiss, etc. 

Although it has l)een stated that this soil is remarkably uniform, 
there are two areas which deserve sj)ecial mention. These are a high 
hilly area a short distance southeast of Dayton and another somewhat 
similar area a few miles nortliwest of Dayton, in Harrison Townshi]>. 
In these two localities there are se^■eral high hills, which are com])osed 
to a great extent of l)e(ls of large, rounded gravel and j)ockets of 
clean, shar]) sand, o\('i-lain with a soil the exact counteri)art of the soil 
found in the tyj)ical ai'(>as. The only ditl'erence in these areas is 
that at a deijth of 2 feet the suI)soils are underlain with gravel instead 
of compact clay filled with angulai- 1)()wlders. The drainage condi- 
tions of these areas are the same as in the Miami gravelly loam. 



14 



TOr..V('C() 1NVESTTG.\T10NS IN OHIO. 



The Miami clay loam is called by various local names, which usu- 
ally have some reference to the topography or the soil conditions. 
A common name is that of '* sugar-tree land," on account qf the prev- 
alence of sugar maples in the native forests. Again, it is called " clay 
uplands'' and "second bottom,"" as distinguished from the lower 
river bottoms i)roi)er. Fre(iiiently it is called " limestone soil,"' from 
the bed of limestone which closely underlies it, or, again, '• white 
clay,'' or. if deej) plowing has brought up some of the subsoils to the 
surface. '" red clay.'' In the more level })arts of the area, where the 
timber growth is largely beech, the name "" beech land " is used. 
When these lands were first exj^lored they were covered with a thick 
growth of sugar maple, soft ma])le, basswood, beech, black walnut, 
])oplar, wild cherry, white oak, blue ash, several varieties of oaks, 
black gum, elm, hickory, buckeye, and ironwood. There is still con- 
siderable timber standing on the uplands, which can be seen skirting 
the horizon in every direction. 

Tobacco is the crop which seems to succeed the best on the Miami 
clay loam, and each year large quantities are harvested. On almost 
every farm will be found )^, 5, or S acres of tobacco, while many farms 
have from 10 to ;)0 acres in this crop. Tobacco grown on the uplands 
has a good body, good sweating properties, and is fine fibered and 
elastic. 

The following table gives the ivsults of a mechanical analysis of 
the soil and subsoil of this type : 

Mechanical niialijsi.s of Miami clay loam. 



Description. 


Fine 

gravel, 

2tol 

mm. 

Per cent. 
1.28 
2.72 


Coarse 

sand, 1 

to 0.5 

mm. 


Medium ' Fine ^^,f^ 
sand, 0.5' sand, „„"^ ,, , 
to 0.25 0.25 to ^^'7,■(^^' 
mm. 0.1 mm. ''^^■> 


Silt, 0.05 

to 
0.005mm. 


Clav, 
o.oai to 

mm. 


Soil. 

Subsoil 


Per rent. 
2.83 
3.52 


Per cent. 
3.46 
3.34 


Per cent. 
11.36 
11.19 


Per cent. 
11.40 
14.22 


Per cent. 
48.40 
26.40 


Per cent, 
16. 86 
36.25 



TYPES OF LEAF 



There are four jirincipal varieties of tobacco grown in the Miami 
Valley — Zimnier Spanish, Ohio seed leaf. Little Dutch, and Ohio 
Cuban. All of these types are grown for cigar purposes. 



ZIMMER SPANISH. 



In the Miami Valley the Zimmer S]ianish is grown more generally 
than any of the other types, being in great demand at the present time 
as a filler for many brands of domestic cigars. This variety is said 
to be a hvbrid from the native seed leaf crossed with the Cuban 



'I'VPErt OF LEAF. 15 

variety, and A\as introduced by Mr. .Jaeob Zinnner, from whom it 
takes its name. Some authorities believe it to be a modification of 
a variety know as tlie " Baltimore Cuban/' the seed of this tyjx' 
having been distributed by the Department of Agriculture several 
years ago. The plant grows about 4 feet high and has the leaves 
set close together on the stalk. The leaf is a little more pointed than 
the (/uban ty})e, which it otherwise rescml>les very closely. 

The Zimmei' Sj)anish tobacco when ])lanted on the u})lands yields 
about <)()() pounds to the acre, while on the warmer second bottom 
lands the yield is nuich greater. Although the upland tobacco is 
lighter in weight, it is claimed to have the best quality and aroma. 
The average price recei\('d by the grower is 7 cents, and the high- 
est })rice is seldom more than 10 cents a i)ound. This variety of 
tobacco is also grown to a limited extent in AVisconsin. 

OHIO SKKI) I.KAK. 

The Ohio seed leaf is (he oldest of the varieties grown in the 
Miami Valley, and before the introduction of tlie Zimmer Spanish 
it was grown much more generally than at jjresent. In i-eccnt years, 
notwithstanding the seed leaf gives the larger yield, the Zimmer 
Spanish has displaced it to a considerable extent. The seed leaf 
is grown also in the New England States, but in that district it 
pj'oduces a wrapper, or binder leaf, while in Ohio it is grown almost 
exclusively for fillers. Because of the greater size of the plants, they 
are set ?> feet apart each way in the field. The leaf is very large 
and broad, and when ripe the edges curl over, giving it the appear- 
ance of the heavy shipping tobac<'o of Virginia. When well fer- 
mented the leaf makes a desirable filler and is largely used m the 
cheaper grades of cigars. In the past considerable quantities have 
been exported to Germany and France. 

LITTLE DUTCH. 

The Little Dutch tobacco is a sweet-scented variety grown princi- 
pally around Miamisbuj'g, although the acreage has declined in recent 
years. It was introduced by a Mr. Rayendorf, who brought the seed 
from Germany. Tt has a narrow leaf and a small, short growth. It 
is used for cigar fillers, mak'ing a cigar with an aroma resembling the 
Yara tobacco grown in the eastern part of Cuba. Tt requires gi'eat 
care in curing, the leaf being thin and easily damaged during the 
process of fermentation. 

CUI5AN SEED LEAF. 

The Cuban seed leaf tobacco was inti-oduced into Ohio a few years 
ago by some leaf dealers, who procured the seed from Florida, where 



16 TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 

thip type of tobacco has been successfully grown for several years. 
Owing to the changed conditions both in soil and in climate, which 
destroyed the uniformity of the type, and to the methods used in its 
cultivation by the farmers, who were totally unacquainted with the 
requirements of this new variety, the attempt was a failure, and the 
trade did not receive this tobacco with favor. The tobacco had most 
of the physical characteristics of the Cuban leaf, but it lacked the 
aroma which was necessary for a filler leaf. The old method of 
fermentation then in use did not help to bring out this quality; on 
the contrary, it made the leaf harsh and strong in taste, although 
some of the leaves showed signs of merit. 



GROWING OF CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. 

Ill the sprino- of 1 !)()•_! tlie liinvau of Soils decidod to soo -what im- 
provements could l)e made in the methods of cultivating and curing 
tobacco grown from imported Cuban seed in the ]Mianii Valley. Mr. 
George B. Massey, an expert of the P)ureau of Soils, was detailed to 
look over the area which had been previously surveyed in the Miami 
Valley, to select a suital)le soil, and to make other arrangements for 
conducting this woi-k. A desiral)le soil (Miami clay loam) was lo- 
cated on the farms of Mr. John IT. Rohrer and Mr. John A. ]5(>gard, 
two well-known tol)acco growers of that section, and agreements 
were entered into with these gentlemen, under which they furnished 
the land, im})lements, and curing sheds necessary to carry on the 
experiments, the Bureau for its ])art providing the exj^erienced labor. 
A ci'op of (') acres was grown. fermente(l. and l)aled under tlic Bureau's 
direction, yielding '2.11)1 i)ounds of fermented tobacco. In this same 
season .") acres were also ])lanted in Zimmer Spanish, yielding 3,700 
pounds, or 748 pounds to the acre. 

A second ex|)eriment was conducted during the season of 1903 to 
demonstrate further the possibilities of gi-owing in Ohio a Cuban seed 
tobacco having the qualities demanded by the trade in a high-class 
cigar tiller. Seven and a half acres were planted on the Miami clay 
loam, yielding 3,050 ])ounds of air-cured leaf, or 527 pounds to the 
acre. When fermented and baled tins tobacco weighed 3,4.->l pounds. 

In 1!)04 the Bureau conducted another experiment, using this time 
tw^o distinct tyi)es of soil. Six acres wen> planted in the upland soil 
(Miami clay loam), which yielded 3,0r)(') jjounds of leaf, or 501) 
pounds per acre, and 4 acres in the second bottom land (Miami 
gravelly loanOo which yielded 3,082 pounds, or 770 i)()unds j^er acre. 
The most improved methods were used in fertilization and cultiva- 
tion. Labor-saving imi)lements were used to minimize the cost of 
production, and the tobacco was bulk fermented, graded, and baled 
according to the latest methods usetl where this type of tol)acco is 
grown successfully. 

31(JU— No. 2!>— 0."» M 3 17 



18 TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 

DETAILS OF THE WORK IN 11)04. 

The following- pages detail the work connected with the production 
of the crops of 1904, beginning with the preparation of the seed bed 
and continuing through all the operations until the finished product 
was ready for the market. 

PREPARATION OF THE LAND. 

The land was plowed in the sj^ring to a depth of 8 or 10 inches, 
using a tAvo-horse plow, and as soon as the frost was out of the 
ground 20 loads of well-rotted stable manure to the acre were applied 
broadcast. This was ])lowed under with a two-horse plow and 
allowed to decay. About two weeks after this plowing the land was 
harroAved Avith a disk harroAv to break up the clods and thoroughly 
))ulA'erize the soil. Just before setting out the young tobacco plants 
the land was again harroAved with a fine-toothed harroAv. AAdiich 
leA'eled oil' the land and left the soil in good tilth. 

THE SEEK I!EI). 

In ]:>reparing the seed bed the Avork AAas commenced the preceding 
fall l)y spading the ground Avell aid dividing it into beds 6 feet Avide 
and about 40 feet long. Each bed Avas surrounded by boards 2 inches 
thick and 1'2 inches Avide, set 3 inches in the ground. These frames 
Avere filled Avith leaA'es and manure to keep out the frost during the 
AA'intei- season, and about the 1st of April this top dressing AA'as raked 
oft' and the soil again spaded and wi'll i)ulverized. After this a 
liberal application of cotton-seed meal was raked in, leaving the 
surface of the bed smooth and loose. 

About seven days before the time of planting the seed Avas put in 
apple-tree punk, made soft Avith warm water, and kept in a room Avith 
a temperature between 70' and 75° F. until it germinated. The 
sprouted seed was then mixed Avith cotton-seed meal and soAvn broad- 
cast in the beds at the rate of 2 tablespoonfuls of seed to 100 square 
yards of surface. The beds Avere then lightly rolled to preserA'e the 
moisture and to cover the seed. A light cloth Avas stretched over the 
bed and securely fastened to the boards on all sides. This retained 
the heat in the bed ami i)rotected the young plants from damage by 
frosts or insects. 

TRANSPLA NTING. 

The tobacco Avas transijlanted from the seed bed to the field during 
the early part of June. The plants Avere set out Avith a mechanical 
planter, knoAvn as the tobacco setter, being placed 14 inches apart 
in rows H feet apart. This machine, Avhich rolls the ground, opens 
the furroAv and sets and Avaters the plants, requires three persons to 



GROWING OF CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. 19 

Operate it — a man to drive aiu] two men or hoys to f<'e(l the plants 
into the machine. Phuits set by machine are found to make earlier 
and better growth and to give more uniform results tlian when set 
l»y hand. Transplanting by this machine can be carried on and good 
results obtained when the weather conditions would be fatal to hand- 
.set tobacco. 

CUI.TIVAIION. 

No plant responds more quiclsiy to tiuirough cultivation than 
tobacco, but the plant having quite an extended system of surface 
roots, all cultivation should be shallow. The field should !>(> kept 
clean and in good tilth, both to i)r()mote the rapid and healthful 
growth of the plant and to I'emoN'e the hiding places atfoi'ded to 
insects by a growth of grass or weeds or accunndations of trash. 

After the young })lants had been set out a week cultivation was 
commenced, and thereafter the entire crop was hoed and j)lowed 
every week. In hoeing, great care was taken to break the crust that 
formed after each rain and to draw fresh soil u]) to the ])lant. The 
plowing was done with a two-horse riding culti\at()r, which left the 
plants on a slight ridge or hill, just enough to shed water in case of 
any very heavy rains. By this method of cultivation the soil was 
left in a nudlow and well-})ulverized condition, the powei' of the soil 
to absorb and retain moisture was increased, and the root system of 
the plants given a larger area in which to gather food. 

TOPPING AMJ SrCKERING. 

About six weeks after transplanting the seed bud appeared. This 
was carefully taken out with the three top leaves, care being exercised 
not to injure the remaining leaves of the phnit. Just when to top 
the plant, as well as how many leaves to take out with the bud, 
depends upon the climatic conditions during the growing season, the 
strength and vitality of the plant, and the purpose for which the leaf 
is being grown. 

After the plants were topped suckers appeared at the junction of 
each leaf with the stem. These were broken off as soon as it was 
possible to do so without injury to the i)lant. Suckers will appear 
on all types of tobacco after being topped, and unless they are broken 
off the leaf will lose part of the nutritive matter which has been stored 
in it and deteriorate in quality. 

HARVESTING. 

Harvesting was commenced about the middle of August, at which 
time the early set i)lants showed signs of ripeness. The time when a 



20 TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 

plant is ripe and ready to be cut is a matter of judgment and experi- 
ence. There is a slight change in the color of the leaf. The leaf is 
observed to change from a rank green to a lighter shade of green, 
yellow spots appear, and the leaf feels coarse and thick to the touch. 
It also breaks easily, especially when the dcAV is upon it. 
Doctor I^oew " in this connection says: 

The ripening of tlio tobacco leaf is. in other words, not a physiological hnt a 
pathological phenomenon. By the accnniulation of nicotine, oxidizing enzynjs, 
and acids a state is finally reached in which the normal deep green color of the 
chlorophyll grains gives way to a yellowish color. .V "ripe" leaf contains, per 
100 square centimeters, an average of 0.1(')4 gram of matter soluble in boiling 
water, while a young leaf contains only 0.0()(), the former having, therefore, for 
an equal surface about 2.5 times as much soluble organic matter as the latter. 
As to the total weight, a ripe leaf weighs from l.;J to 1.5 — on the average 1.4 — 
times as much as an equal surface of a .voung leaf of the same plant. It is espe- 
cially the nicotine and the protein compoxnuls that increase in a ripe leaf, a 
fact of which anyone can soon convince himself by a (-onii)arison of the reaction 
caused by phosphotungstic acid in the .iuices of ripe and unripe leaves. The 
amount of water in ripe leaves averages, roughly, s:*. per cent, and in young 
leaves SS i)er cent : that is. when compared in nearly starch-free condition, after 
being kept two days in darluiess. * * ■■' As to the so-called "overripe" 
leaves, they contain, like the young leaves, relatively more water and less or- 
ganic matter than the ripe leaves. By the stoppage of the functions of the 
chlorophyll gi-ains. which gradually change in the overripe leaves, new ](roduc- 
tion of organic matter is prevented, while consumption still proceeds. 

In harvesting tiller tobacco the plants are cut and not primed, as 
is the practice with wrappers. In cutting, the man stands over tlic 
plant, takes hold of it with his left hand, and carefully bends it over; 
with his right he cuts the stalk with a knife or hatchet just above 
the ground, taking care not to injure any of the leaves. When suffi- 
ciently wilted, it is hung ujion a lath — about 12 stalks to the latli — 
and hauled to the curing barn. 



BARN CT'RING. 



The tobacco was hung upon the tier poles direct from the field, 
and is not left ui)on scatfolds or racks to wilt, as is the custom among 
the growers of ex})ort tobacco. About O inches space was left be- 
tween the laths hung in the top of the building to prevent a too 
rapid cure, or "' haying down," wdiile in the body of the barn more 
space was given between each lath to allow for a freer circulation of 
air, and in the case of damp or rainy weather to prevent pole sweat, 
which would occur if the laths were placed closer together. 

" rhysiological Studies of Connecticut Leaf Tobacco, Report No. (5.5, U. S. 
Dept. Agr.. 1900. 



GROWING OF CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. 21 

All the ventilators were kept shut for the hrst three ilays, di)riiii>- 
which time the tobacco undergoes its first change, viz, the turning 
of the leaf from a green to a bright yelloAv coloi-. After this the 
barn was opened or closed, according to the weather conditions. No 
fixed rules can be given for the curing of tobacco, as the manipulation 
of the barn is governed by the conditions of the weather and the 
nature of the tobacco. If the season (hu'ing which the tobacco is 
being cured be excessively hot and dry. it is best to close the barn 
tightly during the day and o[)en it at night. During the day the 
tol)acco Avill beconii' very dry, and at night, with the ventilators open, 
it will cool off and become soft and pliable. 

When the tobacco is cured, with the exception of the stem or mid- 
rib, the ventilators may b;' left open during the day, especially on the 
shady side of the barn, but whenever the day is rainy or there is a 
strong wind blowing it is l)est to keep the barn closed tiglit to pre- 
vent damage from too much moisture or to guard against injury to 
the leaf by whipping. When there are frecpient showers and but 
little sunshine, the barn should be closed, and small wood or cliar- 
c<jal fires, distributed throughout the barn, shoidd be lighted for a 
short time each day. These fires should be continued as long as it 
is necessary to keep the t()l)acco in i)roi)er condition. When charcoal 
can not l)e obtained for fuel, wood which lias as little odor as possi- 
ble should lie selected. It is very important to dry oiiv tiie barn 
without giving the t()l)acco any foreign odor. 

The barn curing is complete when the midribs of the leaves are 
cured, at Avhich time the tobacco is ready to be taken do^Ml. To get 
the tobacco in condition to l)e handled, all the ventilators should be 
left open the night before. In the morning the tobacco should b(^ 
soft and pliable, but not wet. The barn should then be closed in 
order to retain the moisture. 

In stripping the leaves oil' the stalk they are divided into three 
grades. The three lower leaves are called ''sand leaves," the three 
upper leaves are called "tops." or "tips," and the leaA'es of the bal- 
ance of the })lant. which f(U-m the most desir-able part of the tobacco, 
are called '' middles." This separation is made to facilitate the 
handling of the leaf in the packing house, where each grade of leaf 
receives a different treatment in the fermentation. After stripping 
the leaves oif the stalk they are tied in hands, or bundles, containing 
about forty leaves each, and packed in boxes or in paper bundles for 
delivery to the packing house. 

It is a matter of impossibility to control the moisture conditions in 
curing tobacco as long as the present form of curing barn is used and 
the prevailing method of crowding the stalks in the barn is followed. 



22 TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 

Ample space should be left between the laths to allow a free circula- 
tion of air, and the barn should be so constructed as to be closed 
tightly or thrown wide open, as the occasion demands. Where the 
barns are poorly constructed and the roof is leaky, it is impossible to 
properly manipulate the tobacco, and curing will continue to be a 
Aveak point with the Ohio growers until improvements in the barns 
are made. A fine crop of tobacco may be grow-n and harvested, and 
yet, on account of poor barn management, its value will in some 
instances be reduced 25 per cent by pole sweat. With a barn that can 
he tightly closed ? few fires will suffice to dry the tobacco even in the 
dampest w^eather, and in this w^ay pole sweat, mold, and damage of 
any kind that arises from excessive moisture can be prevented. The 
opening and closing of the barn requires nice discrimination. It is 
by allowing the tobacco to become alternately soft and dry, each to 
just the right degree, that the leaf is properly cured. If tobacco is 
allowed to dry out too quickly the color will be uneven and mottled. 
If, on the other hand, too long a time is taken to eft'ect a cure the leaf 
will become tender. It should be the aim to manage the barn so that 
the tobacco will become soft and fairly dried out once in every 
twenty-four hours. A period of from six to eight Aveeks is ordinarily 
required to cure tobacco that is cut and hung with the stalk. 

FERMENTATION. 

The grower of cigar tobacco seldom ferments and packs liis own 
tobacco, generally selling it in its green, or raw, state to the leaf 
dealer. The Bureau of Soils, however, desiring to gain an opinion 
from the trade as to the value of the leaf when produced under the 
very best methods from planting to packing, deemed it necessary to 
carry the experiment through all the various processes. Therefore, 
the tobacco, after barn curing, was fermented by the bulk method, 
sized into three grades, and packed into bales according to the Cuban 
style. 

As received from the curing shed, the tobacco was stacked in bulks 
in the warehouse to ferment with its own moisture, a thermometer 
being placed in the l)ulks to determine the temperatures. The tem- 
perature was allowed to run as high as the moisture in the leaf would 
admit, but in no instance did it go above 120° F. before " kasing " 
(adding water by artificial means). The changes in temperature of 
one of the bulks, which contained 8,950 pounds of tobacco, before 
" kasinff " are shown in the following; table : 



GROWING OF CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. 



23 



Changeft in 


ti'Dtpcrafiirt 


of hnlk 


durhig progress of ferme}itation. 




Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 




'F. 




1 




" F. 




" F. 


Nov. 21 


55 


Dec. 9. 


103 > 


Dec. 27 


120 


Jan. 14 


100 


22 


55 


]() 


101 j 2S. 


119 


15 


100 


23 


t50 


11.. 


KKJ ' 29" 


78 


16 


100 


24 


61 


12 


100 ! m 


78 


17 


100 


25 


63 


18 


lOO 31 


79 


18 


100 


2tJ 


65 1 


14 


99 1 Jan. 1.. 


82 


19 


101 


27 


67 


]5'i 


98 2 


85 


20. 


101 


•iV~. 


69 


16 


»1 1 =^ 


86 


21 


102 


29 


72 


17.- 


94 


4. 


8(i 


22 


102 


:« 


76 


IS 


96 


5. 


87 


23 


103 


Dec. 1 


)54 


19.. 


102 ! 


6 


87 


24 


103 


2. 


yi 


20 


lOf! 


7 


89 


25 


101 


3 


98 


21 


110 


8 


89 


26 


99 


4 


101 


22 


112 


9 


92 


27 


96 


.5 


104 


23 


115 


10....... 


94 


28 


90 


ti 


ia5 


24 


118 


11 


96 


29 


88 


7 


106 


2;", 


119 


12 


99 


m 


85 


8 


ia5 


26 


120 


13.. 


1(K) 







' Bulk turned. 



The moisture orio-inally contained in the tobacco had nearly all 
evaporated during this fermentation, but owing to the heavy nature 
of the leaf it Avas deemed advisable to ferment it again. During the 
early part of February the bulk was taken down, each hand of tobacco 
was dipped in water to add sufficient moisture to the leaf to renew 
active fermentation, and a new l)ulk built. Within the next six days 
the temperature had reached 1'21° F.. when the tobacco was again 
laken down, each hand shaken out, and then rebulked. In this bulk 
the highest temperature was reached on February 25, when the ther- 
mometer read 120° F., and from that date to February 29 the temi:)er- 
ature gradually fell a feAV degrees each day, indicating that the action 
of fermentation was growing less. The tobacco was rebulked again on 
March 1. After this turning the temperature did not rise above 
100° P\, and on March 31 it fell to 98° F. The bulk of tobacco Avas 
then taken down, sized, graded, and rebulked to age, remaining 
thereafter at an average temperature of 102° F. 



24 



TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 



The ehaiiijes in temperature of the bulk after kasing are given in 
the following table : 

Clianacs in temperature of hulk. 



Date. 



Temper- 
ature 





"F. 


Feb. i:i 


75 


U 


85 


15 


97 


16 


110 


17. 


115 


18 


120 


19 


121 


2(>' 


91 


21 


95 


22 


111 


23 


115 


24 


120 



Date. 



Temper- 
ature, f 



Date. 



Temper- 
ature. 



Date. 



Feb. 25. . 
26.. 
27.. 
28.. 
29.. 
Mar. In. 

2 

3.. 

4.. 

5.. 



120 

120 

119 

117 

117 

87 

91 

93 

99 

101 

101 

100 





°F. 


Mar. S 


100 


9 


100 


11a 


73 


12 


75 


13 


77 


U 


79 


15 


86 


16 


93 


17 


100 


18 


105 


19 


107 


21 


108 



Temper- 
ature. 



Mar. 22. 
23. 



109 
KHt 
106 
106 
106 
105 
1(X5 
100 
100 
98 



" Bulk turned. 

This method of fermentation removes the danger of injury to the 
tobacco by black rot or other fungus, and minimizes the chances for 
unevenness in color or flavor due to excessive or deficient local fer- 
mentations. During the process of rebulking, the tobacco is thor- 
oughly shaken out and aired, and all objectionable gases are given an 
opportunity to pass otr'. That such an elimination takes place is 
readily proved by a noticeable odor vhich fills the room during the 
first turning of the bulk. This odor, which is decidedly disagreeable 
at first, is less objectionable during the second turning. During the 
third and fourth turnings the tobacco has attained a mellow, aromatic 
odor, and when this stage is reached there is no need for fear of 
further damage. The tol)acco can remain indefinitely in l)ulk to age, 
or it can be packed in bales to undergo the same process. This final 
aging or ripening of filler tobacco is necessary to put it in the proper 
condition for the manufacturer. 



Tying the tobacco in carrots and packing it in bales was the last 
manii)ulation in preparing it for market. Four hands of tobacco 
were tied together with bast, and SO of these carrots Avere packed in 
a bale made of ])alm l)ark imported from Cuba, over which was 
placed a covering of burlap. The l)ales weighed about 112 pounds 
and were stacked five high in a room of average temperature to 
season or age. The care of the tobacco after being baled depends 
largely upon the condition in which it is packed. If it is thoroughly 
cured and well dried out it should be stored in a place where it will 
remain as near dormant as possible, as further fermentation is unnec- 



GROWING OF CUBAN SEED TOBACCO. 



25 



essar3\ If the tobacco is packed in high " kase " (with consideral)lc 
moisture) fermentation will continue, especially during the sunnner 
months. The position of the bales should be changed every week, 
and they should occasionally be opened for examination, and, if nec- 
essary, stood on end to cool off and stop fermentation. 

COST OF PRODUCTION. 

A careful account was kept of all expenditui'es connected with the 
jDroduction and finishing of the crop of Cuban seed t()l)acco grown in 
the experiment of 1*.)()4. Th(> two tabU'S following give the cost of 
each operation on the basis of 1 pound as the unit. 

Ciisi of </r(iiriii(/ CiiIkiii seed lobdcco. '• 



Operation. 



Propiirin^ land, sowing, and weeding seed bed 

Pulling plants and transplanting 

Plowing, five times 

Hoeing, three times 

Topping and siickering 

Harvesting 

Poisoning 

Taking down from poles and stripping 

Total ---. 



Cost per 
pound. 

('cnts. 
l.(X) 
1.25 

1..W 

l.(NI 
1 . 50 



10.50 



Cost of fermentind and packing Cuban seed tobacco. 



Operation. 



Cost per 
pound. 



Fermenting in bulk 

Sizing, tying, and assorting 

Carroting and baling 

Material for baling 

Burlap and incidentals 

Total.. 



Cents. 
1.25 
1.25 

. 75 
1.00 

.25 



4.50 



The total cost of the cro]> of 7^ acres, including cultivation, har- 
vesting, and warehouse work, was $517, (JH, or IT) cents per pound on 
the basis of the fer-mented leaf. It cost nearly half as much to fer- 
ment and pack the crop as it did to pi-oduce it to the time it was 
ready for the warehouse. 

The total yield on 7^ acres of Cuban seed tobacco was ?).i)^)0 pounds, 
or an average of 527 pounds of cured tol^acco pci* aci-e. The total 
yicdd after fermentation was 8.451 pounds, oi- M'A) pounds i)er aciv, 
showing a total loss of weight during fermentation of 41>0 pounds, oi- 
(u pounds per acre — a shrinkage of b'^ ]^er cent fi-om the time the 
tobacco was taken from the poles to the time it was packed in the l)ale. 



2() 



TOBACCO TNVESTTGATTONS IN OHTO. 



The followina' table shows tlie weiji'hts of the dirt'erent g-rades of 
lohaceo pi'oduced : 



J'roiKjrtion it ml 


iicif/Jit of (J Iff ('rent 


<ini<l 


•\ of ( 


iihaii 


sei 


(I 


tobit 


ceo 


in crop 


Of wn.'i. 




Grade 














"Weight. 


Propor- 
tion. 




Pounds. 

2,401 

5:« 

512 


Percent. 
mi. (1 


Light 


15. 1 


Broken - . - . _ ... 


14.1 






















Total 


3,451 









From this tal)le it will be seen that 00 per cent of the crop graded 
as heavy filler, 15 per cent as light hller, and 11 per cent as broken 
and trashy leaves. 



SALE OF TOBArrn GROWN IN 1!)02 AND IDO."' EXPERIi\rENTS. 

In the fall of 11K)4 samples of the Zimmer »Spanish and the Ohio 
Cuban seed, grown in 1\HY2 and 1008, were placed on the market. 
The sale of the 1902 crop, which included both Zimmer Spanish and 
Cuban seed, was intrusted to Mr. 11. (i. Vetterlein, of Philadelphia, 
and of the Ohio Cuban, grown in IDO.'i, to Mr. John Rohrer, of Ger- 
mautown, Ohio. The employment of persons directly connected 
with the trader was deemed advisable both to relieve the Bureau of the 
details of making the sales and to insure the protection of the 
growers. The Department of Agriculture had no interest in the 
receipts from the sales of these tobaccos, but was interested solely 
in the results as indicating the judgment of the trade as to the value 
of the leaf for filler i)iirposes. The proceeds of sales, less the broker's 
commission, were turned over to the owners of the several crops. 

In December, 1904, ]\Ir. Vetterlein sold to Messrs. Dohan & Tait, 
of Philadelphia, 20 half cases of the Zimmer Spanish, weighing 
3,196 pounds, at 16^ cents per j)ound. As will be seen from a letter 
from this firm, quoted on a following page, the quality of the leaf 
was perfectly satisfactory. 

The 1902 Ohio Cuban has not been sold, the trade pronouncing the 
leaf a little too heavy. This is not due, however, to the variety of 
tobacco, as all types of tobacco grown that year in the Miami Valley, 
including the Zimmer Spanish, were not up to the standard of qual- 
ity, owing to the unfavorable climatic conditions during the growing 
season. 

In the winter of 1904-5 Mr. Rohrer submitted to the trade samples 
of the Ohio Cuban grown in 1903. In response he received from The 
Samuel Hirsch Comixiny, of Cincinnati, Ohio, an offer of 35 cents a 
pound for the entire crop, which was accepted. 



GKOWINC OF ("IT BAN SEF.D TOI'.ACCO. 1 1. 

The "21 bales weighed alK)iil :),1TS puiiiuls net. and at 35 cents per 
l)(>und, less ;> per cent for cash, the anionnt received was $1.07S.l):), or 
a return for the finished product of $14;i.sr) i)er aci'c. 

As a result of the exix-riinents of the last three years, there will l)e 
i^rown durin<>' 11)05 about :>5 acres of Cuban seed tobacco. This to- 
bacco will be i>rown by the farmers of the JNIianii \'alley under (Jov- 
ernnient su])ervision, and already a iiiMii has declared its intention 
to purchase the tobacco at 15 cents pei- [)ound. oreen wei<ilit, wherever 
the a'rower obtains 1) cents j^er i)()und for his Zinnni'r S[)anish, a i)ro- 
])ortionate increase or decrease l)eino: made in the price if the Zinnner 
type brinas more or less than the price stated. 

The foUowina' letters have been received from p<'rs<)ns and hrms 
who have handled the tobacco arown in the experimental crops of 
n)02 and li)():'>: 

I l"'n)ni .Idliii II. IJohrt^i-. ( Jei-iiiaiitow n, Oliin. | 

I have rer-oived a letter I'l-oiu the Sam 'I', llirscli ('(iiiiiiany. Cincinnati. Oliio, 
the firm to whom I sohl tiie I'.Hi:; Ohio Cuhan, in wiiicli tiiey statt' tliat the tirst 
2 hales they received trom tlie Department warehouse had heen manufactured 
and bad .t^iven jtertect satisfaction, and althou.iih the remainder of the ci-op was 
not to have heen sliipped until April !.">. they wished me at once to ship '1 more 
hales, as they are in need of the tohacco. 

I am perfectly satisfied that with favorahle climatic conditions and thoronjih 
and systematic fertilization and cultivation, we can grow here in the Miami 
\'alley a satisfactory fjcrjule of tiller tohacco from Cuban seed, which, I believe, 
will return a good profit to the grower. I draw these conclusions after having 
paid close attention to the crops grown during the past three years inider Mr. 
Massey's direction, and also after a close examination of the le;if after fer- 
mentation. 

The introduction of bulk fermentation of our native tobaccos I consider to be 
the most iiraetical piece of work your Department has yet done in Ohio. It 
has not only saved thousands of dollars to the packers, which otherwise they 
would have lost in damaged tobacco, but it has enabled us to place an article 
ot better quality on the market and within a sliorter p*M-it»d of time. It is my 
opinion that in the course of ;i year or two every pound of Ohio cigar tol)acc() 
will be fermented by the Imlk method of fermentation that your Department 
has introduced witli so much success. 

[From 'Phc Sniiuicl [Ursch Company, ('incinnati, Ohio.) 

In regard to your favor of the llth, we wish to say that we Had the tobacco 
in (luestion (Ohio Cuban seed) very satisfactory. \\'e consider it a very 
desirable tiller and are very nnicli jileased with our pui-ciia.se. 

[From Dohan & Taitt. FhiUulelpliia, I'a.l 

Yours of March 1 at band, and we beg to state that the Zimmer Spi'uish 
grown by your Bureau, and purchased by us. we consider exceedingly tine, 
though a rather heavy-l)odied tol>;icco. We have not tested your Texas tobacco 
thoroughly, having only smoked a cigar or two. from which we could not form 
a fair idea of the tobacco. We regret that wi' can not give yon oui- opinion of 
the latter, but the general appearance of the tobacco is excellent. 



INTRODUCTION OF BULK FERMENTATION IN OHIO. 

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOIS METHODS. 

Pi'ior to the introduction by the Bureau of Soils of the bulk method 
of feruientation into the cigar-leaf districts of Ohio two methods of 
fermentation were in use, viz, the natural sweat and the force sweat. 
Both methods had disadvantages, and great loss was yearly sustained 
In' the packers, owing to damage of various kinds traceable directly 
to the inability to control the process of fermentation under the hit- 
or-miss systems employed. 

In the natural sweat })i-()cess the leaf is packed under pressure into 
cases holding from 'M)() to 400 pounds. When the cases are filled and 
closed they are stored for eight or ten months without being given 
any attention whatever. The idea is that the tobacco will warm up 
at the beginning of spring weather and continue to ferment during 
the summer months. In the early part of the succeeding fall the 
tcjbacco is examined and sampled for the first time after being packed. 
The examination not infrequently reveals the fact that a large pro- 
portion of the tobacco has been damaged or, as the packers say, '' has 
developed black rot." The cases then are opened and the damaged 
hands or leaves picked out and the sound portion repacked. This 
involves a great deal of trouble and expense aside from the direct 
loss in the damaged tobacco. 

It is claimed by some i:)ackers that the damage occurs soon after the 
tobacco is packed, while lying in a chilled condition, and that this can 
be prevented by forced sweating. Many packers, therefore, prepare 
a room in their warehouse where, either by means of steam or stoves, 
a high temperature can be steadily maintained. As soon as a case of 
tobacco is packed it is put into this room and when the room is filled 
it is closed and the temperature kept from 110° F. to 112° F. This 
sweating process is continued for thirty or forty days, at the end of 
Avhich time the tobacco is taken out and allowed to cool and di'v. 
While there is some show of curing in the center of the case, the 
tobacco on the top and at the bottom and sides of the case is not curt'd, 
but has become dry, and there is ordinarily as much damaged leaf as 
where the natural sweat method is followed. 

In the bulk method of fermentation the tobacco is moisteiKnl if 
need be, ]nled on a platform, and cov(>red with blankets. In the 
bulk is inserted an electrical thermometer, by means of which the 
28 



INTRODUCTION OF BULK FERMENTATION. 29 

(■lian<>;os in ttMupci'adirc. indicative of the j)i'()iir(>ss of fernicutation, 
jH-e known to the packer, and the tobacco can he so nianij)uhited as 
to keep the fermentation within the limit of safety. It is this mattei- 
of absohite control of the process that marks the superioi-ity of tlie 
bnlk method ovei- the methods of natural or forciMl sweating'. 

To su]i]:)oi"t the l)idk a platform shoidd he made, (> feet wide and 
from I'i to II feet long;, raised al)out 4 inches from the Hoor of liie 
sweat room. At tlie ends of this platform ai-e placed foothoai'ds () 
feet wide and T feet high. Such a i)latform will hold from ;").()()() to 
(5,000 pounds of tobacco. After covei-iiiii' the phitform and liead- 
lx)ards with ])aper, the bulking is begun by laying the two outer rows, 
placing the heads of the tobacco even with the edges of the j)latf()rm 
find allowing the tips to i)oint to the center. Then anothei- row is 
beffun on each side, allowino- the heads to rest two-thii'ds of the length 
of the leaf from the butts of the first roAV, kee])ing the tips jiointing to 
the center. A third row is made on each side in the same manner. 
This will make six rows across the width of the phitform, or sufficient 
to cover the floor. The second tier is laid in the same mann(>r, and 
this process is continued until the bulk has reached a heigiit of (> or 
T feet, or until 5,000 or (),000 pounds of tobacco have been bulked. 
When the l)ulk is comi)leted the t()[) is covered with ordinary cotton 
blankets, over which are i)laced rubber blankets. 

The tobacco is allowed to stay in bulk from ten to twelve days, the 
actual time being go^'erned by the chai'actei- of the leaf and condi- 
tion of the tobacco when placed in bulk. ( )i-dinai'ily the temperature 
increases about 0" 1^\ e\'ery twenty-foui- hours, ^^'hen the tempera- 
ture has reached a certain degree, which \aries with difl'erent ty[)es 
of leaf, the tobacco is taken otl' the bulk, well siiaken out. and 
rebulked, building the new bulk as the old one is taken down. 

To rebulk tobacco the handler should |)roceed as follows: I'ake otl' 
the first two layers from the l)ulk and i)lace them in cases. Then 
take the tobacco from the old bulk and lay the foundation of the new 
one, building up the tiers until half the old bulk' is removed. Place 
the two layers that were set aside on the new bulk and refill the cases 
with two more layers from the old bulk, and set thes(» aside until the 
remainder of the old bulk has been placed on the new. Place the two 
cases of tobacco on the new bulk and cover it with blankets as 
before. In this way what was the inside of the old bulk has become 
the outside of the new, and what was the outside of the old bulk has 
become the inside of the new bulk. In this way every i)art of the 
tobacco will receive the same amount of fermentation. "When the 
rebulking is completed the tobacco is allowed to stand until the tem- 
perature rises to a maxinnnn limit and stai'ts to fall. As soon as the 
temperature declines sufficiently — the exact point varies with the 



30 TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 

different types — the tobacco is taken out of the bulk and packed in 
cases. 

DETAILS OF FERMENTATION OF liEAF OF DIFFERENT TYPES. 

There are differences in the character of the Zimmer Spanish, Ohio 
seed leaf, and Little Dutch tobaccos which necessitate modifications in 
the processes of fermenting the several types. Though these modifica- 
tions are slight, they are of vital importance, and have been made the 
subject of careful investigation during the three years that the work 
has been carried on in Ohio. Perhaps the most important question 
has been that of artificially moistening the leaf before bulking, and it 
has been established that only the Zimmer Spanish and Ohio seed leaf 
varieties can be moistened, the same quantity of water added to the 
Little Dutch tobacc^o ruining the leaf. Other important questions 
determined are the number of rebulkings necessary, the length of 
time required to complete the fermentation, the temperatures at 
which the t()l)acco should be turned, etc. These questions, as apper- 
taining to the different types of tobacco, will be considered in detail. 

As the greater part of the Ohio cigar filler is Zimmer Spanish, 
the fermentation of this type is of more general interest to the Ohio 
groAver and i)ackei-. This tobacco as received from the grower does 
not contain sufficient moisture to carry it through the fermentation, 
and, being a rather heavy-bodied leaf, it reciuires a higher tempera- 
ture to conq)Iete the process than is necessary in case of the other 
Ohio filler tyj)es. To obtain an active ferment of this leaf it is 
necessary to add moisture. This is done by dipping the hands in 
water and allowing the leaf thoroughly to absorV) the moisture before 
])lacing it in the l)ulk. This the leaf will do in about forty-eight 
hours. It is seldom found necessary in fermenting Zinuner Spanish 
to turn the bulk more than once, as the two heatings put the leaf in 
perfect condition for })acking in cases where it undergoes the i)rocess 
of aging. 

Some packers fei-ment their tobacco before sizing and assorting it, 
and in this case the tobacco is taken from the bulk after the tempera- 
ture has reached the maximum and declined to a point within 10.5° 
to 1'20° F., at which stage the leaf can l)e sized and sorted without 
becoming too (hw to pack. If the tobacco has been sized and sorted 
before being bulked it is generally left until the temperature has 
cooled off to 100° or 105° F. The tobacco has then just enough 
moisture in it to pack well. 

The average cost of bulk fermenting Zinuuei- Spanish tol)acco, 
which includes '' kasing,"' bidking, and packing in cases, is DO cents 
l)er 100 pounds. The following tal)le gives the temperature of a 
bulk of Zinuner Sj)anish: 



INTRODUCTION OF BULK FERMENTATION. 



31 



Dati 



Vhiiinics ill tciiijicnit lire of ii hiiJI: nf ZiiiiiiK r Sjidiiisli Inhiicro. 
Date. 



Apr. ;?0_ . . 
21 . , 
22... 
28 , 
24... 



Temper 
ature. 



84 
90 
96 
104 
112 
117 
124 
LSI 



Apr 


28 




2!) 




:!ii" 


May 


1 




2 




3.. 




4 




!i. 



Tenijier- 
ature. 



^F. 



134 
i:« 
13<) 
8(i 
91 
96 
99 
105 



Datt 



Temper- 
ature. 



Date. 



Temper- 
ature. 





- 




"F. 


MayC) 


Ill 




118 


8 


124 


9 -. 


128 


10 


129 


11 


133 


12 


137 


13 


138 



May 14. 
1.5. 



l(i... 
IT... 
18... 
19... 
20 6. 
21... 



138 
V.W, 

]m 

129 
128 
12.5 
119 
117 



Bulk turned. 



Bulk taken up, assorted, sized, and packed. 



The Ohio seed leaf usually has to \)o " kased."' The same method 
of moistenini>- the tobacco is follo\Yed as with the Zimmer Spanish, 
and the leaf is allowed forty-eio'ht hours to absorb the moisture 
before being placed in bulk. Owiuo- to tlie character of this leaf the 
tem])erature of the bulk is not allowed to !>•<) hiiiher than 180° F. It 
is seldom necessary for this ty]K> to ix^> throuii'h more than two heat- 
ings unless it has been too heavily " kased," when a third heating" 
will l)e necessary. After tlie second heat the temi)eratiire of the Ixilk 
will declin(\ and when it reaches 107'^' F. the tobacco should be taken 
down and ])acked in cases to age. 

The cost of bulk fernuMiting seed leaf tobacco, including " kasing," 
bulking, and ])acking in cases, is i')i'> cents per 100 [)()unds. The 
following table gives the tempei'ature of a bulU of Ohio seed leaf 
tobacco : 



CJiaiif/cs 


//; foiiixTdtiirc of (1 


hillh- of Ohio 


seed lea 


f tohdCCO. 




Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 




"F. 




°K 




"F. 


"F. 


June 19 


80 


July 3 


1(10 


July 16 


122 


July 39 


117 


21 


84 


4 


106 


17 


123 


30 


117 


32- 


98 


5 


109 


18.. 


120 


31 


116 


23 


105 


fi 


112 


19.. 


120 


Aufj:. 1.. 


114 


24 


111 


7 


118 


2(1 


120 


2 


113 


25 


115 


8 


118 


31 


122 


3. 


112 


2t) 


121 


9 


118 


32.. . 


12:^ 


4. 


m 


27 


125 


10 


IIH 


2:^ 


122 


5 


110 


28 


130 


11. 


120 


24 


120 


6 


109 


29 


130 


13 


120 


35 


120 


7 


108 


30' 


129 


13 


120 


26 


118 


8 


109 


Julv 1 


84 


14. 


122 


27 


118 


9 


107 


2 


93 


15 


123 


28 


118 


106 


107 



" Bulk turned. 



Bulk t.-iken dowu and packed. 



In l>ulk fermenting I^ittle Dutch tobacco great care and jiidgmeni 
have to be exercised, as this ty])e is much more likely to be damageci 
during the process than either the Zimmer Spanish or Ohio seed leaf. 



32 



TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 



"^rhis variety floes not require such a high temperature to ferment it, 
but it is allowed to remain in the bulk at a lower temperature for a 
greater length of time. The addition of water is \erv seldom neces- 
sary, and. owing to the relatively small quantity of moisture in the 
leaf, the bulk, after the first turning, seldom reaches a temperature 
of mor-e than 128° F. Like the other varieties of Ohio cigar-filler 
leaf, it is rarely found necessary to turn the bulk more than once, two 
heatings l)eing enough to prevent the development of mold or black 
rot. "WHien the temperature of the bulk has declined to about 90° 
or 100° F. the tobacco may be taken down and packed. The leaf at 
this temperature has been found to contain just enough moisture to 
pack well. 

The average cost of fermenting T.,ittle Dutch tobacco, inchiding 
bulking and packing, is 45 cents per 100 pounds. The following 
table gives the temperature of a bulk of Little Dutch tobacco: 
ClKiiifics ill tciiiiirntturc of <i bulk of Little Dutch tohavco. 



Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 


Date. 


Temper- 
ature. 




° F. 




' F. 




°F. 




° F. 


Apr. 16. 


85 


May 5 


iin 


May24 


106 


June 12 


101 


IT 


90 


6 


118 


25 


104 


13.- 


100 


18 


95 


7 


124, 


26 


106 


14 


98 


19 


ino 


8 


128 1 


27 


104 


15 


98 


20 


102 


9 


128 


28 


104 


16.. 


98 


21 


104 


10 


126 


29 


103 


17 


97 


22 


112 


11 


126 


m 


103 


18 


97 


23 


114 


12 


122 


31 


103 


19 


96 


24 


116 


13. 


121 


.June 1 


103 


20 


96 


25 


122 


14 


119 


2 


102 


21 


96 


26 


126 


15. 


116 


3 


102 


22 


96 


27 


128 


16 


116 


4 


102 


23 


94 


28 


129 


17 


112 


5 


102 


24 


94 


20 


IHO 


18 


110 


6 


104 


25 


93 


80 


KiO 


19 


110 


7 


104 


26 


93 


May 1 <' 


128 


.20 


108 


8 


104 


27 


93 


2 


90 


21 


108 


9 


ira 


28 


92 


3 


98 


22 


106 


10 


103 


29.. 


91 


4 


104 


23 


106 


11 


102 


30& 


90 



" Bulk tnriiod. 



''Bulk taken down and packed in cases. 



As was to be expected, some trouble was experienced during the 
earlier stages of the investigations in Ohio. In one of the first bulks 
of Zimmer Spanish tobacco fermented black rot had begun to develop, 
but by decreasing the size of the bulk and ])lacing a layer of trash of a 
thickness of S inches under and over the good tobacco the spread of 
the fungus Avas prevented. In some cases, also, white mold made its 
appearan(;e. P]x})eriments soon showed that by forcing the tempera- 
ture up to 140° F. the spores of this fungus could be rendered 
innocuous, and thereafter this source of danger was under complete 
control. 



INTRODUCTION OF BULK FERMENTATION. 



33 



The imlications of both these dangerous conditions are discoverable, 
if they exist at all, on the first tnrning of the bulk, and stei)s can at 
once be taken to prevent the spread of the trouble. Under the old 
methods of fermentation the conditions would not be known until the 
tobacco is sampled, when much of the tobacco would be irretrievably 
ruined. 

RELATIVE COST OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF FERMENTATION, 

It has been urged by some packers that it is cheaper to case ferment 
tobacco than it is to ferment it in l)ulk, which is probablj'^ true where 
the tobacco is given but four or five days' preliminary fermenting in 
the case and then finally packed in cases under pressure and allowed 
to dry out in the sweat room for a f(nv weeks. Such mani])ulation, 
however, is at best a compromise, and tobacco handled in this way is 
not thoroughly fermented. If tobacco be given two packings before 
it is finally cased, as must I)e done to ferment the leaf thoroughly, it 
has been demonstrated that the cost is even greater than the cost of 
bulk fermenting. 

COOPERATIVE AVORK DURINC THREE SEASONS. 

During the spring of 1902 the Bureau of Soils began experiments 
in the fermentation of the native Ohio tobacco, believing that by 
using the method of bulk fermentation already outlined the damage 
arising from mold and black rot could be eliminated. The ])laiis of 
the Bureau for fermenting filler tobacco were explained to several 
local leaf dealers, and arrangements were entered into with these 
gentlemen to ferment i)art of their tobacco according to the ])roposed 
method. They agreed to })rovide the necessary warehouse room and 
tobacco for conducting the experiments, while the Bureau of Soils 
provided the experienced labor. Accordingly, bulks were built in 
five different warehouses. The following table gives the nanx's of the 
packers cooj^erating with the Department, the location of the ware- 
houses where the experiments were carried on, and the munber of 
pounds of tobacco fermented : 

Bulk fcniiciitcd tohacco, 1902. 



Packer. 



JoMepli Einlress 

Four Tubacoo Company 

Young Brothers _., 

Miami Leaf Tobacco Company 
J.H.Rohrer 



Total 



Location of warehouse. 



Germantovvn . 

Camden 

Gratis 

Dayton 

Gcrmantown . 



Tobacco 
fermented 



PohikIn. 

l(;:.',(i(Ki 
7;.', 1 11 HI 

G5.'),20() 



34 



TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 



This tobacco was mostly Zimmer Spanish, grown the year before, 
and had become dry and hard, which made it necessary to ackl water 
to get the leaf in the proper condition to cause fermentation. After 
being dipped the tobacco was packed loosely in cases and allowed 
lo remain about twenty-four hours, by which time it had thor- 
oughly taken up the water, making the leaves soft and pliable. It 
was then placed in l)ulks, containing from (),00() to 8,000 pounds. 
The tobacco was not i)acke(l tightly, but simply i)iled loose, only hand 
pressure being used, and the temperature of the room was kept at 
about 75° F. The tobacco was well fermented at the end of sixty 
days. On taking the bulk down and jjacking the tobacco into cases. 
no sign of damage of any kind was found, and the leaf was thor- 
oughly fermented its entire length. 

These packers were so well pleased with the results obtained that 
the Bureau of Soils was asked to continue the experiment on a larger 
scale the following year. The new process had created such an inter- 
est among the tobacco packers of the Miami ^"alley that not only did 
those firms cooi)erating with the Bureau the previous year ask for 
further assistance, but requests were recei^'ed from other packers for 
the cooi)eration of the Bureau in fermenting their tobacco. 

During the season of 1903 the Bureau supervised the fermentation 
of 4,21'2,000 })ounds of tobacco, consisting of the Zinnner Spanish, 
the Ohio seed leaf, and the Little Dutch varieties. The work Avas 
performed in cooperation with 10 packers in the Miami Valley. The 
fijllowine: table gives the details of this season's work: 
Bulk fenncnted tohacco, 1903. 



Vai-iety of Tobacco. 


Packer. 


Location. 


Tobacco 
fermented. 




Dodds & Mays 


Miamisburg 

Dayton 


Pounds. 
900, CKX) 






3%, 000 




B. A. Hostetter 


West Manchester 

Camden 


720,000 




The Four Tobacco Co 

Young Brothers 

Joseph Endress 

J. H. Rohrer 


102,000 




Gratis 


9(l,tXHJ 




Germantown 

do 


108,000 
21,000 




J. H. and J. F. Burbaker. , 

J. W. Gebhardt 

Doctor Stone 




360, (K)0 






14,400 






144,000 








Total 


2,916,000 




B. A. Hostetter 

H. Schumacker 

.T. H. Rohrer.. 


Richmond, Ind 




Ohio seed leaf _ 


648,000 
21C>,(«)() 




Germantown 


144,(lt)0 








Total 


1,008,000 




B. A. Hostetter 

H. Schumacker 

Dodds & Mays 


Richmond, Ind 




Little Dutch 


252, (KM 




Dayton 


16,2ai 




Miamisburg 


19,800 


Total . 


288,000 











INTRODUCTION OF BULK FERMENTATION. 



35 



During the season of li>()4 the l)iireau still further extended its 
work in hulk fermentation. Most of the packers who cooperated 
with the r)ureau during- the seasons of 11)02 and 1908 placed larger 
quantities under the Bureau's charge for fermentation, while other 
firms, seeing the advantage to be derived from l)ulk fermentation, 
adopted the method. During the season of 1904, 10,208.000 pounds 
of tlie various types of Ohio tobacco were fermented. The table 
below gives the details of the work in the same maimer as has been 
done for the two seasons preceding. 

Bulk ti'i'iiiciitPd tobacco, 190//. 



Variety of tobacco. 


Packer. 


Location. 


Tobacco 
fermented. 


Zimmer Spanish 


Miami Leaf Tobacco Co... 
H.Schumacker 


Dayton 

do 


Pounds. 
1,008, (TOO 
{)0(l,(K)0 
64S (KW 




William Stroop. . . 


do 




Oniel & Rugie 


.- do 


126,(KKI 
432 (XK) 




B.A.Horn 


... do 




B.A.Hostetter 

Dodds & Mays. 

The Four Tobacco C'o 

Young Bros 

Burbacker Bros 

J. H. Rohrer 

Sainders & Kerrs 

D.W.Stoner 

Dull & Williams 


West Manchester and 
Dayton. 

Miamisburg 

Camden 

Winchester 

West Alexander. . 


1,080,000 

360, aw 
216, aio 

144,(H)0 
324, (KW 




Germantown . . . 


180, ()(K) 




Tippecanoe 

Union City, Ind 

Arcanum 


144, aw 
144, aw 

144, (WO 


Total.. 


5,850,000 




Miami Leaf Tobacco Co. . . 
William Stroop . . 


Dayton 

do 




Seed leaf 


660, aw 

1 8a) (KX) 






Oniel & Rugie 


do 


no. (WO 




B.A.Hostetter 

Billman Bros 

Dull & Williams 


Richmond, Ind 


l,2(Nl,aX) 




West Carroll ton 

Arcanum 


26, aw 
80, aw 


Total 


3, 776, OX) 








Little Dutch 


382, oai 

200,000 




H. Schumacker 


Dayton 








Total 


582,000 









86 



TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 



The following- table shows the number of pounds of native Ohio 
tobacco bulk fermented under the direct supervision of the Bureau 
(hiring the three last seasons: 

'J'otdl qiKiiifHics (if (Jiffrreiit types of Ohio fiUcr tohaceo hulk fvniicntcd (liiriiit/ 

1902, WliS, and IDOJ/.a 



Year. 


Zimmer 
Spanish. 


Seed leaf. 


Little 
Dutch. 


Total. 


1902 - 


Pounds. 

&55,200 

2,916,0(X) 

5,850,000 


Pound.i. 


Pounds. 


Pounds. 
655,200 


T.108 

]i)04 


1,008,000 
15, 776, 000 


288,000 
582,000 


'4,212,000 
10,208,000 


Total, three years 


9,421,200 


4,784,000 


870. (XIO 


15 075 200 







"Advance information sliows that L'O.Ood.OOO pounds of tobacco will bo bulk fermented 
in Ohio during the season of 1905 — a gain of about ;i;? per cent over the total shown for 
1904. 

The following table, showing the entire crop of domestic filler 
tobacco for 1901 and the imports of Cuban tobacco, will be of interest: 

Co)it])itr(ttirc slitlciiiciit of qtntntitics and ra1i(c of domestic and imported ciijar- 

fillcr tobacco. 



Leaf. 



Ohio 

Pennsylvania 

Other dome.stic filler 

Total domestic filler. 
Imported Cuban, 1901 crop 



Production. 



Pounds. 
a5, 654, 314 
17,614,380 
17, 666, .531 



S3,832,8:» 
2, 1 13, 725 
1,971,584 



70,935,225 



18,554,775 



7,918,148 



16,212,773 



In the above statement the production of domestic tobacco is on the 
basis of fermented leaf, 20 per cent having been deducted from the 
total production for shrinkage in fermentation and loss in handling. 

In the case of Ohio the necessary allowance for types other than 
cigar-filler tobacco has been made. Two cents per pound has been 
added to the value of the domestic tobacco to provide for the expense 
of fermentation, thus putting the Cuban imports and the domestic 
filler on the same basis. 

It Avill be seen from these figures that the Cuban imports, which are 
only one-fourth as large in quantity, represent in the aggregate a 
value two and one-third times as great as the value of the domestic 
j^roduct. It Avould seem that there is opportunity here for the grow- 
ers and i)ackers of tobacco in our filler States to improve the (juality 
of their product and increase their profits. 



INTRODUCTION OF BULK FERMENTATION. 37 

LETTERS FRO.AI THE TKADE. 

The follow ini>' letters have been received l)y the Bureau from pack- 
ers that have chang'ccl their niethoi^ls of fermentation to that pre- 
scribed by this Bureau : 

[From lianna Brothers. Daytou. Obio.] 

Ill response to your iiuiuiry in reference to tlie process of resweatiny Ohio 
tobacco ill hull';, we would say tliat, witli a very few exceptions, all the packers, 
dealers, and nianufacturers of Ohio liave adopted the bulk sweatiiii; iiietlnMl. 
which in itself is evidence of the iiopniarity and success of the method. 

r.ein.i; ill a position (as brokers) to come in contact with a majority of our 
de.-ilers in the Miami \'aliey ;ind with jobbers and lar.ue manufacturers of our 
leaf tobacco, and lie.-ii-iii!; the comments of differeiil firms and individuals, we 
feel safe in statini; tliat it is the universal (ipinion that the bulk sweatinti proc^ 
ess is the most modern, most economical, and most satisfactory means to .uain 
desired ri'sults. 

We certainly are convinced tliat the Department has acted very wisely in 
establishinj; an experimental station in our valley, so ably conducted by your 
rei)rest'ntatJve. Mr. (1. I'.. .Massey. at (iermaiitown, Ohio, to wlioiu we cheerfully 
recommend the Ir.ide for ,iny information (jii the foregoing subject, and wlioiii 
we regard as vei-y courteous and obliging. We are pleased to learn that he is 
to remain with us another eighleeii months. 

I I'roiii William Slroop. Uaytoii. Oliio.] 

I heartily apjirove of bulk sweating our cigar-leaf tobaccos, as I have been 
using this process of Hnisliing my toiiaccos for a number of ye.ars. and am 
jileased to see that the (iovernment has taken up this matter and has been 
sutvessful in inducing other bandlei's of leaf tobacco to see the advantages of 
tile bulk-sweating process. 

I am very familiar w itli the work you are doing at your station at (ieriuau- 
lown, Ohio, and tliink your operations are very commendable and beuelicial. 

I From \\. K. Cresli vV; Smi. Norrislown, I'a.l 

for the p;ist two years we l!a\c followed the system of bulk sweating, as 
introduced li.v Mr. <;eorge 1!. .Massey. of your I'.iireau, at our paciving house in 
Dayton. Ohio. 

We lind to our great satisfaction thai this mode of curing tobacco eliminntes 
all danger of damage, yields a more thoroughly fermented lavKluct. and is less 
ex])ensive than case sweating. We also Ihid that cigars made up Ifom such 
bulk-sweated tobacco Ii.-inc Itetter burning (pialities and a better aroma than 
from <*ase-sweated stock. Therefore wr can not lait ai>iireciate and heartily 
apja'ove the endeavors of your r.ui'i'au to introduce imi)roved methods in the 
growing as well as in the handling of cigai'-leaf tobacco. 

[Frdiii till' Miami Leaf 'I'ultacco Compaiiy. Dayton. Oliio.] 

We desire to testify to the earnest work that has been done by youi- exjiert 
in this State. Mr. (ieorge H. .Massey, along the lines designed by you in your 
effort to better the processes of growing and handling leaf tobacco. 



38 TOBACCO INVESTIGATIONS IN OHIO. 

We know that Mv. Massey has done hard and earnest work, and while from 
the nature of the husiuess the results arrived at may be indetermhiate, still we 
know thej^ have been of considerable influence on the trade. 

Of the 1903 crop, mostly through Mr. Massey 's efforts, we would estimate that 
fully 50 per cent was bulk sweated. There is no question whatever but that 
bulk sweating brings out all the best qualities of the tobacco and is the safest 
way to sweat it, although from a strictly commercial standpoint there are times 
when the expense would prohibit it on anything except the very highest-priced 
tobaccos. 

We ourselves bulk sweated our entire crop of 1903, with splendid results as 
to quality,. and had almost no loss whatever in damaged leaf. 



o 



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